Fokker

From Wings of Linen

Fokker Flugzeug-Werke GmbH of Schwerin I. Mecklenburg produced a series of indifferent planes until a synchronized gun was mounted to a monoplane, creating the world's first fighter with that advantage. The monoplanes were not great fliers, but the resulting "Fokker Scourge" -- along with a healthy dose of self-promotion -- gave the firm clout and name recognition that would carry forth to this day. Their D.I-IV were nothing spectacular, but the Dr.I caused a stir and the D.VII was one of the all-time best.

Anthony Fokker was active in supplementing his German business with Austro-Hungarian sales, though Austro-Hungarian purchases significantly lagged those in Germany.

Production aircraft from the Great War or shortly thereafter include:

References

Notes
  1. In 1912-13, Fokker sold a series of monoplanes to the German military, all based on the Spin 3 aircraft. But they were found unfit for military service.[1]
  2. The M.5 was a monoplane similar to a Morane-Saulnier H but with welded-steel fuselage framing. Its form carried over directly into the E-class Eindeckers.[2]
  3. "L" stands for lang, German for long, with its 9.6 m (31 ft 6 in) wing.[3]
  4. "K" stands for kurz, German for short, with its 8.5 m (27 ft 11 in) wing.[3]
Citations
  1. Brannon, p.5.
  2. Brannon, p.7.
  3. 3.0 3.1 Brannon, p.8.
Bibliography
  • D. Edgar Brannon, Fokker Eindecker in Action. Carollton, TX, USA: Squadron Signal Publications, Inc., 1996. ISBN 0-89747-351-5
  • Peter Gray and Owen Thetford. German Aircraft of the First World War. Great Britain, Putnam, 1962, 1987. ISBN 0-85177-809-7.
  • Peter M. Grosz, George Haddow, and Peter Schiemer. Austro-Hungarian Army Aircraft of World War One. Flying Machines Press, 1993. ISBN 0-9637110-0-8.